Yep thats the case...

I think Crynoid was referring to the "Torana" project based of the current GMH- V Body...

 

BTW...what's the latest on VE? My understanding is that it will have front McPherson struts and multi-link IRS.

 

Umm, thats what the V body has now. I would guess Holden will go dual wishbone front end as they where considering putting that in some HSV cars (I think) as a test run. No idea on the rear end.

 

Wow, alot of information there. It sounds like the Camaro is alot more ahead then we thought, they even know what chassis it's going on, and they knew it a while ago. While there is so many things I'd like to know, I keep thinking about a few things the most though:

1. When is this announced publicly??
2. When do we see what they are working on or a concept??
3. What about the Firebird??
4. Will the Camaro be faster than the GTO?!

 

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about the disappearance of Monte Carlo are the NASCAR implications. Would they just run the Impala instead? It doesn't seem to matter how many doors the car has anyways, considering Dodge and Ford base their cars off 4doors.

A convertible version of Impala/something comparable does make sense to a degree as well. Chevy could use a showy convertible in the spirit of the Chrysler Sebring, maybe in the territory the Bel Air concept was hinting.

Good news, I'm sure everyone can't wait for this winter and NAIAS now!

 

Just like IZ28 asked, what about the Firebird? Are there any plans for that to come back as well? If GM brings back the camaro and no Firebird I'm gonna be pissed!!

 

guionm,
You say that GTO will likely be QUICKEST of these RWD cars. Is Camaro included in this?? I surely hope not.

Thanks for the info.

Alex

 

Part 2: Continuing on with the "All facts, no speculation" thread:

Spring of last year, GM made a public announcement that it would begin making volume rear drive cars. Some months ago, GM also made a public announcement regarding drivetrain plants making transmissions and engines for a line of rear drive full sized and performance cars due out for model year 2007 (2006 calender) year.

It is known that Holden is leading the development on these cars, and that GM/NA's involvement in developing this line is pretty minimal. Making these cars, in effect, a product of GM-Holden. North America's involvement in this basically design & marketing these cars for here.

A year or so ago, I was told the new GTO wouldn't be an orphan by an individual close to what was being pieced together. Like everyone else, I assumed this meant Monte Carlo, and later Chevelle would joing GTO. Recently, I found that Monte Carlo's future isn't certain, and Chevelle was a figment of someone's imagination that ended up with a life of it's own. The only thing that's reasonably sure about the Monte, is that it will continue till at least 2005. After that, it's anyone's guess.

Most of this information is from GM's own press releases, and public comments from GM's own executives. I still had to touch base with a few people to clear up some things, and get some background (most all of them can't talk about future products, but they point me in the right direction or drop none-too-subtle hints! ).

Clearing up a few things:

*No car is "announced" or has a true "budget" till it wins final approval from GM's Product Board. Up till then, a proposed vehicle has to be approved to move to the next level by the good people running product development. A vehicle does not simply appear out of thin air.

*There is an amazing amount of work that goes into creating a business case for a single car model. It's not just about taking requests, than making it happen. The research that goes into making a case (from the car to the impact on the workforce in the community where the car will be made and a host of other items), and then going before a board whose sole purpose is to find holes and weaknesses in your case (each car has a ramification on the whole company's future in some way) gives me a healthy respect for the people who do it.

*Once a car clears the board, you may still not see a public announcement on it. The C6 is within a year of production. Has anyone heard an "official" announcement that there will be a "new" Corvette for 2005? Bits & pieces about this component or that? yes. A "We're making a new Corvette in 2005" announcement? No.

*(Speculating here) Although I suspect next year's NAIAS may be verrry interesting, it's still possible the next Camaro may have it's own independent introduction the way the C5 did, and the C6 will. It's also very possible that the new Camaro & the new Corvette will be introduced at the same time. At any rate, I'd bet a 6 pack, Chevrolet will have something on it's stand to divert attention away from the new Mustang.... and Chevy, in turn, will probally face the same tactic by Dodge a year later.

*As far as a Firebird in the future, there's no way of knowing. Just taking a wild guess, I would say Solstice is the new Firebird, and will be called that when it finally comes out. The Solstice is exactly what the Pontiac Firebird was going to be, till Chevrolet managed to squash it just past the 11th hour, back in 1966!

 

Being totally clued out on the C5 introduction ...can you fill me in? It may fit with things I've heard.

 

About the speculation that the Solstice will be the next Firebird: So it's basically not going to be a V8 RWD car? Just the SC 4 or 6 cylinder? I know it's all speculation, and I really do like the Solstice in concept form, but I'd rather have my Firebird with a V8. That's how I've always seen it.

 

HEMI Charger?

 

Making sure I keep track of this one guys.

 

Not making a Monte Carlo too is silly...I HOPE there is future for this car. Consider this...I have several 2 door Grand Prix buyers VERY angry with GM right now. They have nothing to replace their car...a Grand Am is too small, and a new GTO is too expensive AND RWD AND a V8! While that is great for many, even more people (especially in the snow belt) will not go for a GTO simply because it is RWD! No amount of traction control and/or sleazy sales tactics by shady salesmen like myself () will convince them to go back to RWD

They need some sort of mid priced, mid size coupe. Make no mistake, I have no problem with the Monte going RWD...it just needs to be made, and made for mid-20s in today's dollars! The GTO has 2 strikes against it (price and RWD) for current coupe GP buyers to go for it...but if the Monte is priced right...

Chevy needs more than one coupe...aka Camaro.

 

Holden is close to releasing its AWD model Commodores and Monaros... this will translate to the US versions as well...that should kill the "I need a FWD car stuff.."

The base model V6 commodore starts at under the $20K USD mark, so your price should be resonable...

Why is FWD supposedly better in the snow anyway??

(I've seen snow about 4 times so I'm no expert on this )

 

FWD is better in the snow because the weight of the engine over the front wheels provides a better traction base. However some would argue RWD is just as effective if people remembered how to drive!